Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
Our Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour is designed to take you across all the highlights of the three countries in only 16 days – including one of the biggest Bhutanese festivals!
We start this time in Nepal exploring the vibrant Kathmandu Valley and the cultural heart of Pokhara. Then onto Bhutan, where the annual Paro festival awaits. Visit the capital city of Thimpu, before exploring Punakha, Paro and all the temples, monasteries and mountain views in between.
Then we head to the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, a wonderfully chaotic assault on the senses. Cruise overnight south to Barisal to explore floating markets and life on the delta. Drive back to Dhaka in time to visit the ancient capital of Sonargon, before flying home.
Due to the wonderful contrasts between these countries, we believe they are both best experienced as one mega combo tour 😉
Check out the itinerary below and feel free to get in touch for more info!
Highlights
Where?
Kathmandu – Pokhara – Paro – Thimpu – Punakha – Paro Festival – Dhaka – Barisal – Sonargon – Panam City – Dhaka.
When?
March 14 – 29th, 2027
Visa?
Nepal is visa free for most nationalities, get in touch if you are not sure.
We will supply you with an invitation letter to allow you to get the visa on arrival in Bangladesh.
For Bhutan, we take care of the visa application for you and then send you a copy of the visa before the tour.
The Itinerary
March 14 | Day 1 – Welcome to Kathmandu
- Touch down in Nepal’s vibrant capital, where ancient tradition and modern buzz collide. Our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours — relax, wander nearby streets, or soak in your first taste of Kathmandu’s colorful atmosphere.
March 15 | Day 2 – Kathmandu to Pokhara Road Journey (827m) – 6 hrs drive
- Hit the road for a scenic drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s laid-back lakeside gem. The journey winds past terraced hills, rushing rivers, and rural villages, offering a glimpse into everyday Nepali life. By afternoon, the Himalayan backdrop appears, with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range stealing the show.
- After hotel check-in, enjoy a relaxed stroll along Pokhara’s lively lakeside filled with cafés, shops, and mountain views.
March 16 | Day 3 – Sunrise & Pokhara Exploration
- An early start rewards you with a short drive to Sarangkot (1,600m), one of Nepal’s best sunrise viewpoints. Watch the first light ignite the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges — a moment you won’t forget.
After breakfast, dive into Pokhara’s highlights:
Bindabasini Temple – a sacred hilltop shrine
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave – a mysterious cave sanctuary
Davis Falls – a dramatic underground waterfall
Pumdikot Shiva Statue – towering above the valley
Tibetan Refugee Camp – insight into Himalayan culture
Later, unwind with a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake, where mountain reflections shimmer on the water. The evening is free to explore the lakeside’s relaxed vibe.
March 17 | Day 4 – Fly to Kathmandu & Cultural Encounters
- After breakfast, transfer to Pokhara Airport for a short, spectacular 25-minute flight back to Kathmandu, often offering panoramic Himalayan views.
- On arrival, explore two of Nepal’s most important spiritual landmarks:
- Pashupatinath Temple – Nepal’s holiest Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River, where centuries-old rituals unfold daily
- Boudhanath Stupa – one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas, alive with prayer wheels, chanting, and the scent of incense
Return to your hotel in the evening with time to relax or explore independently.
March 18 | Day 5 – Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour
- Today is a deep dive into the cultural heart of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Start at Kathmandu Durbar Square, once the royal palace complex, filled with temples, courtyards, and intricate wood carvings that showcase Newari artistry.
- Continue to Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley. This ancient stupa blends Buddhist and Hindu symbolism and offers sweeping city views.
- End the day in Patan Durbar Square, known as the City of Artisans. Its elegant temples, stone carvings, and palace courtyards reveal the refined craftsmanship of the ancient kingdom of Patan.
March 19 | Day 6 - Paro / Thimpu
- Head to the ariport for the early morrning flight to Paro, Bhutan!
- Enjoy the spectacular approach through the mountains into Paro International Airport. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom.
- Take a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.
- Visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a great view of Thimphu Valley. The impressive 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha.
- Take a mini hike to Changangkha through a beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest with a fantastic view of the valley.
- Visit Changangkha temple – perched on a hilltop overlooking the town. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold.
- Take an evening walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops, bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
- Overnight in Thimphu.
March 20 | Day 7 - Punakha
- Drive from Thimphu through the Dochu La pass at 3050 metres.
- From Dochu La we will take a day hike to the 18th century Lungchotse Lhakhang. On a clear sunny day, one can see the entire Bhutan Himalayas with its snow-covered peaks. Stop for a hot drink or lunch and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan ranges.
- Continue the drive for approximately 2 hours to the old capital, Punakha.
- Take a walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Visit one of the many phallic-themed souvenir shops.
- Visit the incredible Punakha Dzong. An imposing marvel and venue for royal weddings.
- Dinner & overnight in Punakha.
March 21 | Day 8 - Punakha / Paro
- Take a hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten via the village of Yebisa.
- The walk is still fairly gentle but there are some steeper parts. From the top you will see a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. The temple is 30 metres tall and is dedicated to the fifth King.
- We then return to Paro, a drive of around 4 hours.
- In the afternoon visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
- Visit a local farmhouse for dinner allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life. Optional chance to help with cooking the evening meal and you can also try the restorative properties of a traditional hot stone bath!
- Overnight in Paro
March 22 | Day 9 - Paro Festival
- Today we visit the Paro Festival!
- The festival takes place in the outer courtyard of the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture in the country.
- You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories where good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events.
- The occasion provides an opportunity for people to relax and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and jewellery, but it is also an occasion for prayer and blessings.
- Overnight in Paro.
March 23 | Day 10 - Tiger's Nest
- Take a day walk to the legendary ‘Tigers Nest’ – the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor.
- Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. If you feel like it, you can climb higher above the monastery to some small more secluded temples before descending.
- Lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
- Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder or visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.
- Wander through the main street of Paro taking in some of the many souvenir & craft shops.
- Dinner & overnight in Paro.
March 24 | Day 11 - Flight to Bangladesh
- Transfer to Paro airport for the morning short hop to Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Upon arrival, our local team will meet you at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and transfer you to the hotel.
- Start our tour of Old Dhaka. Walk on Hindu Street, the centre of Hindu culture and community in Old Dhaka, full of jewellery shops, local musical instrument shops, Hindu bridal shops, kite shops, cookery shops, temples, rickshaws, and people.
- Visit Islampur Road, the largest clothing market in Bangladesh.
- Drive to the hotel in the late evening battling the traffic as we go.
- Dinner and overnight in Dhaka.
March 25 | Day 12 - Dhaka / Overnight Ferry
- After breakfast, visit some interesting backstreets and bazaars in New and Old Dhaka. These are full of photo opportunities, including Kawran Bazar – the largest wholesale vegetable market of Dhaka, Tejgaon Railway Station, Chawk Bazar – a wholesale market for street vendors, and Swarighat – a busy river port.
- Before sunset, enjoy a boat ride on Dhaka’s river Buriganga, and capture the busy activity on the river.
- Board our passenger ferry for the 21.00 departure overnight journey to Barisal.
- Overnight on the boat in second class (enquire for an upgrade to first class!)
March 26 | Day 13 - Barisal
- Arrive at Barisal early in the morning, freshen up and disembark.
- Have breakfast at a local restaurant and drive to our waiting boat in a remote backwater.
- Today we’ll experience real life in Bangladesh – starting with visiting a floating timber market and bazaars.
- Visit a brick factory and see the labour-intensive process of making bricks, the primary construction material in Bangladesh. You’ll find endless photo opportunities here. Lunch will be served on our local boat.
- Return to Barisal city in the late afternoon.
- Dinner & overnight in Barisal.
March 27 | Day 14 - Barisal / Dhaka
- Early breakfast in a local restaurant.
- Today you’ll visit the bustling floating rice market and experience the sorting and processing of rice manually by the families at their homes.
- Visit a school (if open), experience the education system of Bangladesh, and interact with the school children and the teachers.
- Lunch will be served on the boat with local fruit.
- Drive to back to Dhaka.
- Dinner and overnight in Dhaka.
March 28 | Day 15 - Sonargon
- After breakfast head our to capture more of Dhaka life including a busy riverside Bazaar and landing station, where you’ll get a lot of photo opportunities.
- Visit the shipyards of Dhaka and capture the busy ship repairing activities.
- Drive to Sonargon (50 km, 2 hr), the old capital of eastern Bengal.
- Visit the medieval period Goaldi Mosque, Folk-arts and Crafts Museum, and Panam Nagar – the abandoned city of the wealthy Hindu cotton merchants from the early 19th century. Take a boat at river Meghna and visit a Char (sandbank island) to experience the traditional life of the farmers.
- Return to the hotel in the evening.
- Dinner and overnight in Dhaka.
March 29 | Day 16 - Departure
- Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- End of Bhutan and Bangladesh Tour.
What else?
Tour Notes
You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English-speaking local guides as well as your Rocky Road Travel tour leader. After conducting 2 research trips to Nepal, Bangladesh & Bhutan, we have perfected the itinerary and length of this tour accordingly.
Before each tour, we will add you to a dedicated Whatsapp group so you can share photos easily and chat with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.
To book simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.
Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.
Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
March 14 - 29th, 2027
Paro - Dhaka
Start in Kathmandu and finish in Dhaka. Book your flights there, back and in-between. We'll take care of the rest.
Standard Hotels
15 Nights
The price
$3780 USD